Starting your day with a refreshing shower is a common routine for most people, but have you ever considered the potential benefits it holds beyond just cleanliness? World-class entrepreneurs and leaders have discovered unique ways to use their time in the shower to boost focus, tap into creativity, and enhance overall productivity. In this article, we will explore nine different types of showers that can help you achieve various goals and make the most out of your daily cleansing ritual.
- The Ice Bath: Tasso Roumeliotis, the founder and CEO of Location Labs, has embraced an ice bath, although it may not initially seem appealing. By regularly immersing himself in cold water for 2-3 minutes at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit, Roumeliotis experiences increased focus and alertness through the release of noradrenaline hormones. This practice helps him counteract the mental strain from his work responsibilities.
- The Hot-Cold Contrast Shower: Phil Dumontet, CEO of DASHED, swears by alternating blasts of hot and cold water in his morning showers. This contrast provides him with a burst of vitality and energy that sets him up for an alert start to his day.
- The Creative Shower: Ann Herrmann-Nehdi, CEO of Herrmann International, combines cardiovascular exercise with long showers using a waterproof pad as a way to unhinge mental blocks. She finds that her thinking quality during these showers surpasses other techniques like exercise or driving since being in an alpha/theta brain state allows her deeper thinking.
- The Post-Workout Reward Shower: Adam Gilbert, founder of the MyBodyTutor weight-loss program, uses showers as rewards after working out consistently every day. By conditioning himself this way—no workout means no reward—he stays motivated even on days when exercising seems less appealing.
- The Salt Bath: Entrepreneur and author Tim Ferriss incorporates hot baths with 4–8 cups of Epsom salt into his routine. This practice aids muscular relaxation, helps replenish magnesium levels (which many people are deficient in), and promotes speedy recovery after workouts.
- The End of Work Day, Eyes-Closed Shower: Jason Duff, CEO of COMSTOR Outdoor, uses a 20-minute shower at the end of his workday to create a boundary between work and family life. By keeping his eyes closed during the shower, he finds relaxation and experiences “aha moments” that help him unwind mentally.
- Turn Bathing into an Experience: Oprah Winfrey views bathing as more than just a daily chore; it is an opportunity for joy and relaxation. By creating bathing experiences with various bath products like gels, bubbles, crystals, salts, or lavender milk, she turns her showers into rejuvenating rituals.
- The Pre-Sleep Shower: Ryan Simonetti from Convene takes night-time showers to clear his mind before bedtime, using visualization techniques for upcoming events or problem-solving scenarios in his life. This practice allows him to tap into creative thinking while enhancing his self-awareness.
- The Intuition Shower: Rohit Anabheri from Circa Ventures finds privacy in the shower ideal for focusing on big decisions or challenges he may be facing by listening to classical music and reflecting deeply without distractions from the outside world.
The time we spend in the shower can offer much more than just hygiene if approached intentionally. Incorporating one of these nine types of showers into your routine allows you to leverage this daily ritual for increased focus, creativity enhancement, mental clarity, or simply some quality me-time away from external distractions.
Experiment with different approaches until you find one that aligns best with your goals and personality traits.
So next time you step under that refreshing flow of water, remember the potential that lies within—improve your productivity and well-being with a shower routine designed for success.
